Mobile terminal device, computer-readable recording medium, and computer data signal

ABSTRACT

Even if an external output device like an earphone is disconnected during outputting of reproduced recorded contents, the recorded contents can be consecutively output at the time of subsequent reproduction. When an earphone connection detector detects that an earphone is disconnected during the reproduction operation of reproducing and outputting audio and image information in a recording section with the earphone being connected, a CPU performs control in such a manner as to stop the reproduction operation. When the earphone connection detector detects that the earphone is connected while the reproduction operation is stopped, the CPU resumes reproducing the audio and image information in the recording section at the stop position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a mobile terminal device having aremovable external output device, a computer-readable recording medium,and a computer data signal.

2. Description of the Related Art

Generally, when the plug of a head phone as an external output device isplugged out from a jack section of a speaker embedded type audio devicewhile a user is listening to music, a news program, or the like with thehead phone being connected thereto, a large volume sound is suddenlygenerated from an embedded speaker.

As disclosed in, for example, Unexamined Japanese Patent ApplicationKOKAI Publication No. H10-145884, there is known a technology whichsuppresses the volume of the embedded speaker at an appropriate levelwhen the head phone is plugged out from the audio device and audiooutput is switched over to the embedded speaker, and enables adjustmentof the volume to a desired level by a later operation of the user.

The foregoing technology switches over the audio output to the embeddedspeaker so that the user can consecutively listen to music to which theuser has been listening so far even if the head phone is plugged out.Accordingly, even if the volume when the head phone is plugged off isadjusted to an appropriate level, it bothers people nearby in a publicplace like in a train. To overcome this problem, the volume level shouldbe automatically adjusted to “0 (mute)” at the time of switching overfrom the head phone to the embedded speaker.

In this case, however, because it becomes a mute state until the headphone is reconnected, in a case where the user is listening to abroadcast program in real time, for example, the user fails to hear thebroadcast contents during a time from plugging off of the head phone toreconnection thereof.

In a case where the head phone is plugged off during the user islistening to recorded contents, so that the mode becomes a mute state,the user needs to do a reverse operation to adjust a reproduction startposition in order to listen to recorded contents the user has missed. Itis, however, very difficult to accurately reverse the recorded contentsto the position of the missed part, and if it is not accuratelyreversed, the user may fail to hear some of the contents the user hasmissed again.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made in view of the aforementionedcircumstances, and it is an object of the invention to provide a mobileterminal device, a computer-readable recording medium, and a computerdata signal which can prevent a user from failing to hear soundinformation without switching a sound output from an external output toan internal output when an external output device is removed from themobile terminal device.

To achieve the object, a mobile terminal device according to the firstaspect of the invention is a mobile terminal device which reproducesrecorded contents and outputs the recorded contents to a removableexternal output device when the external output device is connectedthereto, comprises:

a detector which detects whether the external output device is connectedor not; and

a reproduction controller which performs control in such a manner as tostop a reproduction operation of the recorded contents when the detectordetects that the external output device is disconnected during thereproduction operation of reproducing and outputting the recordedcontents with the external output device being connected to the mobileterminal device.

The mobile terminal device may further comprise a connection sectionwhich is connectable with at least any one of an earphone, a head phone,and an external speaker as the removable external output device,

wherein the detector detects whether the external output device isconnected to the connection section or not.

The mobile terminal device may further comprise an alert display sectionwhich displays alert such that the external output device isdisconnected, when it is detected that the external output device isdisconnected during the reproduction operation with the external outputdevice being connected.

In the mobile terminal device, when it is detected that the externaloutput device is disconnected during the reproduction operation ofreproducing and outputting sound information with image information, thereproduction controller may perform control in such a manner as to stopthe reproduction operation of the sound information and a reproductionoperation of the image information.

In the mobile terminal device, the control of stopping the reproductionoperation may be a pause control, and

the reproduction controller may fixedly display image information at atime of pausing while pausing the reproduction of the image information.

In the mobile terminal device, the control of stopping the reproductionoperation may be a pause control, and

the reproduction controller may continue the reproduction operation whenthe detector detects that the external output device is reconnected withthe reproduction operation being paused.

The mobile terminal device may further comprise an internal outputsection,

wherein when a reproduction instruction operation is executed with thereproduction operation of outputting recorded contents from the externaloutput device being stopped, the reproduction controller continues thereproduction operation of outputting recorded contents from the internaloutput section.

A mobile terminal device according to the second aspect of the inventionis a mobile terminal device which externally receives sound information,and outputs the sound information to a removable external output device,comprises:

a detector which detects whether the external output device is connectedor not; and

an output controller which performs control in such a manner as tosuppress outputting of the sound information when the detector detectsthat the external output device is disconnected during the outputting ofthe sound information with the external outputting device beingconnected to the mobile terminal device, and consecutively records soundinformation received thereafter.

In the mobile terminal device, when the detector detects that theexternal output device is reconnected during sequential recording ofsound information, the output controller may reproduce recorded contentsof sound information and outputs the recorded contents to the externaloutput device.

In the mobile terminal device, when the detector detects that theexternal output device is reconnected during sequential recording ofsound information, the output controller may accept a selectionoperation of arbitrarily selecting reproducing and outputting recordedcontents of sound information to the external output device, oroutputting sound information received after the reconnection of theexternal output device, and execute outputting in accordance with theselection operation.

In the mobile terminal device, the sound information may be soundinformation with image information, and is synchronized with the imageinformation, and

the output controller may consecutively record the image informationtogether with the sound information.

A computer-readable recording medium according to the third aspect ofthe invention stores a program which allows a computer to realize mainfunctions of the mobile terminal device of the first aspect of theinvention.

A computer-readable recording medium according to the fourth aspect ofthe invention stores a program which allows a computer to realize mainfunctions of the mobile terminal device of the second aspect of theinvention.

A computer data signal according to the fifth aspect of the inventionembodied in a carrier wave represents a program which allows a computerto realize main functions of the mobile terminal device of the firstaspect of the invention.

A computer data signal according to the sixth aspect of the inventionembodied in a carrier wave represents a program which allows a computerto realize main functions of the mobile terminal device of the secondaspect of the invention.

A mobile terminal device according to the seventh aspect of theinvention is a mobile terminal device which outputs a sound based onsound data from a removably connected external output device comprises:

a sound output section which outputs the sound data to the externaloutput device;

a connection determination section which determines whether the externaloutput device is connected or not;

a sound output stop section which stops outputting of the sound data bythe sound output section when the connection determination sectiondetermines that the external output device is not connected while thesound output section is outputting the sound data; and

a sound output resuming section which resumes outputting of the sounddata by the sound output section at that position where the sound outputstop section has stopped outputting of the sound data, when theconnection determination section determines that the external outputdevice is connected while the sound output stop section is stoppingoutputting of the sound data.

The mobile terminal device may further comprise a memory section whichstores the sound data,

wherein the sound output section may output the sound data read out fromthe memory section to the external output device,

the sound output stop section may stop reading out of the sound datafrom the memory section when outputting of the sound data is to bestopped, and have a stop position recording section which records stopposition of reading out, and

the sound output resuming section may read out the sound data from thestop position recorded by the stop position recording section, andresume outputting of the sound data.

The mobile terminal device may further comprise a receiver whichreceives the sound data,

wherein the sound output section may output the sound data received bythe receiver to the external output device,

the sound output stop section may have a received data recording sectionwhich starts recording the sound data received by the receiver whenoutputting of the sound data is stopped, and

the sound output resuming section may output the sound data recorded bythe received data recording section, and resume outputting of the sounddata.

A computer-readable recording medium according to the eighth aspect ofthe invention stores a program which allows a computer to realize mainfunctions of the mobile terminal device of the seventh aspect of theinvention.

A computer data signal according to the ninth aspect of the inventionembodied in a carrier wave represents a program which allows a computerto realize main functions of the mobile terminal device of the seventhaspect of the invention.

The invention can prevent a user from missing sound information when theexternal output device is disconnected from the mobile terminal devicewithout switching over a sound output from an external output to aninternal output.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These objects and other objects and advantages of the present inventionwill become more apparent upon reading of the following detaileddescription and the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the basic structure of a cellularphone device with a television function applied as a mobile terminaldevice;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a record information output processof the cellular phone device according to a first embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the record information output processof the cellular phone device of the first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a TV reception information outputprocess of a cellular phone device according to a second embodiment ofthe invention; and

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the TV reception information outputprocess of the cellular phone device of the second embodiment of theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First Embodiment

The first embodiment of the invention will be explained with referenceto FIGS. 1 through 3.

This embodiment exemplifies a case where the invention is applied to acellular phone device as a mobile terminal device.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the basic structure of thecellular phone device.

A CPU 1 is a central processing unit which controls general operation ofthe cellular phone device in accordance with various programs in amemory section 2.

The memory section 2 is a non-volatile memory (internal memory), andcomprises, for example, a flash memory. The memory section 2 has aprogram area and a data area, and a program for realizinglater-described operation procedures illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 isstored in the program area.

A recording media 3 is a removable and transportable type memory, andcomprises, for example, a memory card or an IC card. The recording media3 is used for externally supplying various data, such as shot image dataand program, and accepting external supplying of such data.

A memory 4 is an internal memory having a work area, and comprises, forexample, a DRAM (Direct Random Access memory) or an SDRAM (SynchronousDRAM).

A telecommunication section 5 acquires a signal from the receiver sideof a transmission and reception duplexer connected to an antenna 6,demodulates the acquired signal into a reception baseband signal, andoutputs it as audio data (acoustic data) or image data (visual data).The image data is displayed on a display device 8 like an LCD (LiquidCrystal Display) through an image output section 7. The audio data isaudio output from an embedded speaker 11 through an audio output section9 and a speaker amplifier 10.

The telecommunication section 5 encodes audio data input from amicrophone (not illustrated) into a transmission baseband signal,modulates and gives it to the transmission side of the transmission andreception duplexer. The modulated signal is transmitted and output fromthe antenna 6.

A television receiver 12 is connected to a TV antenna 13, and receives,for example, terrestrial digital broadcastings for portable receiverssuch as cellular phones. The television receiver 12 can also receive anEPG (Electronic Program Guide) or the like in addition to televisionimages and a television audio. The television receiver 12 comprises anexclusive CPU, a receiver connected to the TV antenna 13, amplificationdivider which divides a received telecast into an image signal and anaudio signal, a decoder which decompresses compressed data, and thelike.

A television image signal output from the television receiver 12 isdisplayed by the display device 8 through the image output section 7. Atelevision audio signal output from the television receiver 12 is outputfrom an embedded speaker 11 through the audio output section 9 and thespeaker amplifier 10.

The audio output section 9 performs digital/analog conversion on digitalaudio information, and operates an electrical volume according to themanipulation of the user to adjust a volume level. The audio outputsection 9 is connected to the embedded speaker 11 through the speakeramplifier 10, and is connected to an earphone 15 through an earphoneamplifier 14 and a jack section 16.

When the earphone 15 is plugged in the jack section 16, the CPU 1outputs audio information through the earphone 15, instead of theembedded speaker 11. That is, when the earphone 15 is not connected, theCPU 1 outputs audio information through the embedded speaker 11, andwhen the earphone 15 is connected, the CPU 1 outputs audio informationthrough the earphone 15. Audio information (audio data) is a broad soundinformation (sound data) including music or the like in addition to aspeech. Hereinafter, the same goes for this term.

An earphone connection detector 17 comprises a pull-up resistor, aswitching element, and the like, and detects whether the earphone 15 isconnected to the jack section 16 or not. In other words, the earphoneconnection detector 17 detects a connection status whether or not theplug of the earphone 15 is plugged off from the jack section 16.

The CPU 1 always monitors a detection signal from the earphoneconnection detector 17, determines connection/disconnection of theearphone 15 based on the detection signal, and turns ON/OFF the speakeramplifier 10 and the earphone amplifier 14. For example, with theearphone 15 being not connected, the detection signal from the earphoneconnection detector 17 is at a high level, and the CPU 1 turns ON thespeaker amplifier 10 and turns OFF the earphone amplifier 14 through theaudio output section 9. With the earphone 15 being connected, thedetection signal from the earphone connection detector 17 is at a lowlevel, the CPU 1 turns ON the earphone amplifier 14 and turns OFF thespeaker amplifier 10 through the audio output section 9.

A key operation section 18 has various push button type keys, and is forthe user who carries out dial input, character input, command input, andthe like. The key operation section 18 has, for example, a mode keywhich switches a operation mode (mail mode, television reception mode,and the like), a television termination key which terminates televisionreception, a record key which instructs recording of a televisionbroadcasting (including audio recording and image recording), a pausekey which instructs pause of the reproduction of recorded contents, acancel key which instructs cancel of the reproduction of the recordedcontents, and an audio volume adjustment key. The CPU 1 executes aprocess in accordance with a key input signal from the key operationsection 18.

A recording section 19 comprises a high-capacity semiconductor memory ora compact hard disk which records the contents of a televisionbroadcasting, and can record for maximum 5 to 6 minutes. The record ofthe contents of a broadcasting is not limited to record of imageinformation, but includes record of audio information added to the imageinformation.

The CPU 1 reads out audio and image information from the recordingsection 19, reproduces and outputs it. At this time, an audio is outputfrom the embedded speaker 11 or the earphone 15. After a reproductionoperation of recorded contents is started with the earphone 15 beingconnected, when the earphone connection detector 17 detects that theearphone 15 is disconnected during the reproduction operation, the CPU 1pauses the reproduction operation (reproduction operation of recordedcontents of audio and image). It is not limited to a case where thecontents of a television broadcasting is recorded in the recordingsection 19, but may be recorded in the recording media 3. In this case,the CPU 1 reads out audio and image information from the recording media3, reproduces and outputs it.

Next, the operational concept of the cellular phone device of the firstembodiment will be explained with reference to flowcharts shown in FIGS.2 and 3.

Individual functions described in those flowcharts are configurations ofreadable program codes, and stored in the memory section 2. Operationsaccording to those program codes are consecutively executed. Operationsaccording to those program codes transmitted via transmission medium canbe consecutively executed. The same is true on the later-described otherembodiments, and it is possible to execute operations particular tothose embodiments by using programs/data externally supplied throughrecording media and transmission media.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are flowcharts illustrating a record information outputprocess of the cellular phone device of the first embodiment of theinvention.

Execution of the record information output process is started when theuser specifies reproduction of recorded contents as record information.

First, the user selects an arbitrary record file among various recordfiles stored and held in the recording section 19 every time atelevision broadcasting program was recorded, as a reproduction target.The CPU 1 acquires the selected reproduction target as a selected file(step A1).

Next, the CPU 1 determines whether start of reproduction is instructedor not (step A2). If start of reproduction is not instructed (NO at stepA2), the CPU 1 waits for instruction of start of reproduction.

If start of reproduction is instructed (YES at step A2), the CPU 1checks connection/disconnection of the earphone 15 based on a detectionsignal from the earphone connection detector 17 (step A3).

If the earphone 15 is connected (YES at step A3), the CPU 1 turns ON theearphone amplifier 14 (step A4), outputs an announcement message that anaudio is reproduced by using the earphone 15 as an external speaker tothe display device 8, and displays the message on the display device 8(step A5).

If the earphone 15 is not connected (NO at step A3), the CPU 1 turns ONthe speaker amplifier 10 (step A6), outputs an announcement message thatan audio is reproduced by using the embedded speaker 11 to the displaydevice 8, and displays the message on the display device 8 (step A7).

The CPU 1 turns ON the image output section 7 and the audio outputsection 9, consecutively reads out image information with audioinformation from the selected file selected as the reproduction targetby the aforementioned scheme in the recording section 19, and startsreproduction and output of an audio and images (step A8).

Specifically, the CPU 1 gives the image output section 7 imageinformation read out from the selected file, outputs it through thedisplay device 8, and displays an image. The CPU 1 gives the audiooutput section 9 audio information read out from the selected file,outputs it through the embedded speaker 11 or the earphone 15, therebygenerating a sound.

During this reproduction operation, the CPU 1 accesses the earphoneconnection detector 17 to check connection/disconnection of the earphone15, thus checking whether the earphone 15 is plugged off or not (stepA9).

If the earphone 15 is remained as it is connected (NO at step A9), theCPU 1 checks whether or not the user instructs pausing of thereproduction operation (step A10).

If pausing is not instructed (NO at step A10), the CPU 1 checks whetherreproduction of all image information with audio information from theselected file is finished (end of reproduction) or not, or whether theuser instructs cancellation of the reproduction or not (step A11). In acase where end of reproduction is not detected and the user does notinstruct cancellation of reproduction (NO at step A11), the processreturns to the step A9, and the CPU 1 continuously executes thereproduction operation.

In a case where pausing is instructed during the reproduction operation(YES at step A10), the CPU 1 pauses reproduction and output of an audioand images (step A12), and temporary stores that position (stopposition) where reproduction of the selected file is paused (step A13).In this case, by pausing read out operation of audio information andimage information, supply of information to the audio output section 9and the image output section 7 is interrupted, and during this pausing,image information is fixedly displayed as it is. That is, an imagescreen at the time of pausing is directly displayed and output.

The CPU 1 determines presence/non-presence of a reproduction instructionfrom the user (step A14), and if there is no reproduction instruction(NO at step A14), determines presence/non-presence of a reproductioncancellation instruction from the user (step A15). If there is noreproduction cancellation instruction (NO at step A15), the processreturns to the step A14. Accordingly, the CPU 1 becomes in a stand-bystate until there is a reproduction instruction or a reproductioncancellation instruction.

When receiving a reproduction instruction (YES at step A14), the CPU 1reads out the temporary stored data of stop position (pause position),resumes reproduction and output of an audio and images from that stopposition (step A16), returns to the step A9, and continuously executesthe reproduction operation.

When receiving a reproduction cancellation instruction (YES at stepA15), the CPU 1 executes a reproduction termination process ofterminating reproduction and output of an audio and images (step A17),and terminates the record information output process. Specifically, theCPU 1 turns OFF the earphone amplifier 14 or the speaker amplifier 10,and turns OFF the image output section 7 and the audio output section 9.In the step A11, in a case where end of reproduction is detected or theuser instructs cancellation of reproduction (YES at step A11), theprocess also proceeds to the step A17, and the CPU 1 executes thereproduction termination process.

On the other hand, in a case where it is detected that the earphone 15is plugged off during the aforementioned reproduction operation (YES atstep A9), the CPU 1 pauses reproduction and output of an audio andimages (step A18 in FIG. 3), and temporary stores that position wherereproduction of the selected file is paused (step A19). In this case,image information is also fixedly displayed during the pausing. The CPU1 turns OFF the earphone amplifier 14 (step A20), outputs an alertmessage which announces plug off of the earphone 15 to the displaydevice 8, and displays this message on the display device 8 (step A21).

In this state, the CPU 1 checks connection/disconnection of the earphone15 again, thus checking whether or not the earphone 15 is connected(step A22).

If the earphone 15 is still disconnected (NO at step A22), the CPU 1checks whether the user instructs reproduction or not, or whether or notvolume operation for adjusting a volume is performed (step A23). In acase where a reproduction instruction and volume operation is notperformed (NO at step A23), the CPU 1 checks whether or not the userinstructs reproduction cancellation (step A24). In a case where thecancellation of reproduction is not instructed (NO at step A24), theprocess returns to the step A22. Accordingly, if there is none of aninstruction of reproduction/volume operation/an instruction ofcancellation with the earphone 15 being plugged off, the CPU 1 becomesin a stand-by state.

In a case where the earphone 15 is connected (YES at step A22), the CPU1 turns ON the earphone amplifier 14 (step A25), reads out the temporarystored stop position, reads out audio and image information at the stopposition, and resume reproduction and output thereof (step A26). In thiscase, the audio information is generated and output from the earphone15. The process returns to the step A9 in FIG. 2, and the CPU 1continuously executes the reproduction operation.

In a case where a reproduction instruction or volume operation isperformed with the earphone 15 being plugged off (YES at step A23), theCPU 1 turns ON the speaker amplifier 10 (step A27), and displays anannouncement message which announces that reproduction is switched overto the embedded speaker 11 on the display device 8 (step A28). Theprocess proceeds to the step A26, and the CPU 1 reads out the temporarystored stop position, and resumes reproduction and output of an audioand images at the stop position. In this case, audio information isgenerated and output from the embedded speaker 11. In a case wherereproduction cancellation is instructed with the earphone 15 beingplugged off (YES at step A24), the process proceeds to the step A17 inFIG. 2, and the reproduction termination process is executed.

As explained above, in the first embodiment, when the earphoneconnection detector 17 detects that the earphone 15 is disconnectedduring the reproduction operation of reproducing and outputting audioand image information in the recording section 19 with the earphone 15being connected, the CPU 1 performs control in such a manner as to stopthe reproduction operation.

Therefore, according to the first embodiment, even if the earphone 15 isdisconnected during reproduction and output of recorded contents, it ispossible to prevent output through the embedded speaker 11, and outputaudio and image information continuously after the disconnection. Thatis, even if the earphone 15 is plugged off during the reproductionoperation, it is possible to prevent the user from bothering peoplenearby, and continuous reproduction without any affection from theplugging off of the earphone 15 is ensured.

In this case, when disconnection of the earphone 15 is detected duringthe reproduction process with the earphone 15 being connected, the CPU 1displays and outputs an alert message that the earphone 15 isdisconnected. Accordingly, involuntary plugging off of the earphone 15can be informed.

When disconnection of the earphone 15 is detected during thereproduction operation of reproducing and outputting of audio and imageinformation, the CPU 1 performs control in such a manner as to stop thereproduction operation for audio information and the reproductionoperation for image information. Accordingly, it is possible to copewith watching and listening the recorded contents of a televisionbroadcasting. In this case, the CPU 1 fixedly displays image informationat the time of pausing while pausing reproduction of the imageinformation. This permits the user to know that the earphone 15 isinvoluntary plugged off through the display state of images.

When reconnection of the earphone 15 is detected with the reproductionoperation being paused, the CPU 1 continues the reproduction operation.Accordingly, by just reconnecting the earphone 15, the reproductionoperation can be continued.

When reproduction instruction operation is carried out with thereproduction operation using the earphone 15 being stopped, the CPU 1continues the reproduction operation using the embedded speaker 11. Thisenables quick switch over from the earphone 15 to the embedded speaker11 in accordance with the instruction of the user.

In the foregoing first embodiment, when the earphone 15 is plugged offduring the reproduction operation with the ear phone 15 being connected,the reproduction operation is paused. However, the reproductionoperation may be stopped (terminated) with a reproduction position (stopposition) at this time being stored and held. In this case, when startof reproduction is instructed again, presence/non-presence of setting ofa reproduction position (stop position) is checked, and if thereproduction position is set, reproduction may start from that position.

In the foregoing first embodiment, the recorded contents of a televisionbroadcasting program is reproduced and output. A reproduction target is,however, not limited to a television recording, and may be musicinformation, audio information with images or the like externallysupplied from the recording media 3. Speech contents of a communicationmay be recorded, reproduced, and output.

In the foregoing first embodiment, the earphone 15 has been taken as anexample of an external output device, but a headphone, an externalspeaker or the like may be used as the external output device. Thecellular phone device may be connectable with at least any one of theearphone, headphone, external speaker.

According to the first embodiment of the invention, when it is detectedthat the external output device is disconnected during the reproductionoperation of reproducing and outputting recorded contents with theexternal output device being connected, the cellular phone device of theembodiment performs control in such a manner as to stop the reproductionoperation. Accordingly, even if the external output device isdisconnected while the recorded contents are reproduced and output, itis possible to prevent outputting through the embedded speaker, andoutput recorded contents continuously at the time of reproduction afterthat. That is, even if the external output device is disconnected duringthe reproduction operation, it is possible to prevent the user frombothering people nearby. Further, continuous reproduction withoutaffection of the plugging off of the external output device becomespossible, thereby preventing generation of a portion missed.

“Disconnection of the external output device” means a state where theconnection of the external output device is plugged off regardless ofdeliberation and fault. “Stop of the reproduction operation” means atleast pausing of record reading out operation.

The cellular phone device of the embodiment has a connection sectionwhich is connectable with at least any one of an earphone, a headphone,an external speaker as a removable external output device. Accordingly,the user can connect the earphone, the headphone, or the externalspeaker according to needs, and listen to recorded contents.

When it is detected that the external output device is disconnectedduring the reproduction operation with the external output device beingconnected, the cellular phone device of the embodiment displays it in analarming manner. Therefore, involuntary plugging off of the externaloutput device can be informed.

When it is detected that the external output device is disconnectedduring the reproduction operation of reproducing and outputting soundinformation with image information, the cellular phone device of theembodiment performs control in such a manner as to stop the reproductionoperation of the sound information and image information. Accordingly,it is possible to cope with, for example, watching and listening ofrecorded contents of a television broadcasting.

“Sound information” means the audio information or the like.

In this case, the controlling of stopping the reproduction operation isa pause control, and while reproduction of image information is paused,the cellular phone device of the embodiment fixedly displays imageinformation at the time of pausing. Therefore, the user can come to knowinvoluntary plugging off of the external output device through thedisplay states of images.

The controlling of stopping the reproduction operation is a pausecontrol, so that the cellular phone device of the embodiment continuesthe reproduction operation when it is detected that the external outputdevice is reconnected with the reproduction operation being paused.Accordingly, it is possible to continue the reproduction operation byjust reconnecting the external output device.

When reproduction instruction operation is carried out with thereproduction operation which uses the external output device beingstopped, the cellular phone device of the embodiment continues thereproduction operation using an internal output device. Accordingly, itis possible to instantly perform switching over from the external outputdevice to the internal output device in accordance with the instructionof the user.

“Internal output device” means the embedded speaker or the like.

Therefore, according to the embodiment, even if connection of theexternal output device is plugged off during reproduction and outputtingof recorded contents, it is possible to continuously output the recordedcontents at the time of reproduction after that.

Thus, in a case where the external output device is plugged off from thecellular phone device, it is possible to prevent the user from missingsound information without switching over sound output from externaloutput to internal output.

Second Embodiment

The second embodiment of the invention will be explained below withreference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

In the first embodiment, when the earphone 15 is plugged off during thereproduction operation of reproducing and outputting audio and imageinformation in the recording section 19, control is performed in such away that the reproduction operation is stopped. In the secondembodiment, in a case where the earphone 15 is plugged off when atelevision broadcasting is received and the broadcasting contentsthereof is output, outputting of the broadcasting contents is suppressed(outputting is prohibited), and further, a television broadcastingreceived after that is consecutively recorded.

Structural components basically and nominally in common in bothembodiments will be denoted by the same reference numbers, andexplanations thereof will be omitted. The explanation will be mainlygiven of discriminative components of the second embodiment below.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are flowcharts illustrating a TV reception informationoutput process in a cellular phone device of the second embodiment ofthe invention.

Execution of the TV reception information output process is startedtogether with starting up of a TV application. For example, when theuser manipulates the mode key of the key operation section 18, selectsand specifies “television reception mode”, execution of the TV receptioninformation outputting process is started.

First, as the user manipulates a channel selection button, selects andspecifies a desired channel after the TV application is started up, theCPU 1 receives and acquires the broadcasting contents of the selectedchannel (step B1). The CPU 1 checks whether or not the earphone 15 isconnected based on a detection signal from the earphone connectiondetector 17 (step B2).

If the earphone 15 is connected (YES at step B2), the CPU 1 turns ON theearphone amplifier 14 (step B3), outputs an announcement message that anaudio is reproduced through the earphone 15 as an external speaker tothe display device 8, and displays this message on the display device 8(step B4).

If the earphone 15 is not connected (NO at step B2), the CPU 1 turns ONthe speaker amplifier 10 (step B5), outputs an announcement message thatan audio is reproduced using the embedded speaker 11 to the displaydevice 8, and displays the message on the display device 8 (step B6).

The CPU 1 starts outputting the broadcasting contents (an audio andimages) of the selected receiving channel (step B7).

Specifically, the CPU 1 turns ON the image output section 7 and theaudio output section 9, gives image information to the image outputsection 7, output that information through the display device 8, thusdisplaying images. The CPU 1 gives audio information to the audio outputsection 9, outputs that information through the embedded speaker 11 orthe earphone 15, thus generating sounds.

The CPU 1 accesses the earphone connection detector 17 during outputtingof a television broadcasting, and checks whether the earphone 15 isconnected or not, thereby checking whether the earphone 15 is pluggedoff or not (step B8).

If the earphone 15 is still connected (NO at step B8), the CPU 1 checkspresence/non-presence of a user instruction (step B9), and if there isno user instruction (NO at step B9), the process returns to the step B7,and the CPU 1 continues outputting of an audio and images of thereceiving channel. If there is a user instruction (YES at step B9), theCPU 1 determines whether the instruction is a termination instruction ofthe television reception output (step B10).

If it is instructed that the television reception output is to beterminated (YES at step B10), the CPU 1 terminates the TV receptioninformation output process, and if receiving other instructions (NO atstep B10), executes a process corresponding to the instruction, such aschanging of a channel, or changing of a volume, in accordance with thecontents of the instruction (step B11). Hereinafter, the process returnsto the step B7 which outputs the audio and images of the receivingchannel.

On the other hand, in a case where the earphone 15 is plugged off duringoutputting of a television broadcasting (YES at step B8), the CPU 1turns OFF the earphone amplifier 14 (step B12 in FIG. 5), turns OFFimage outputting (step B13), and starts audio recording and videorecording the broadcasting contents of the receiving channel in therecording section 19 (step B14). The CPU 1 outputs an alert message,which announces that the earphone 15 is plugged off, to the displaydevice 8, and displays that message on the display device 8 (step B15).

In this state, the CPU 1 accesses the earphone connection detector 17and checks connection/disconnection of the earphone 15, thereby checkingwhether the earphone 15 is connected or not (step B16). In a case whereconnection of the earphone 15 is not detected (NO at step B16), the CPU1 stands by until the earphone 15 is connected.

If the earphone 15 is connected (YES at step B16), the CPU 1 turns ONthe earphone amplifier 14 (step B17), outputs a reproduction requestingmessage for inquiring whether or not the contents of the recordingsection 19 is reproduced and output to the display device 8, anddisplays that message on the display device 8 (step B18).

Next, the CPU 1 determines whether or not there is an instruction ofreproducing recorded contents from the user (step B19). In a case wherethere is not reproduction instruction since the user desires to directlylisten to and watch contents currently on air (NO at step B19), the CPU1 terminates record operation (step B20). Hereinafter, the processreturns to the step B7 which outputs the audio and images of thereceiving channel.

In a case where receiving a reproduction instruction from the user (YESat step B19), the CPU 1 starts time shift reproduction while continuingrecord operation as it is (step B21). That is, reproduction andoutputting of an audio and images of the recorded contents are started.Specifically, the CPU 1 executes feedback taking the recorded stopposition when the earphone 15 is plugged off as stop position ofreproduction, and starts the reproduction operation while reading outaudio and image information at that stop position from the recordingsection 19.

The CPU 1 checks whether or not the user gives a return instruction forreturning to contents currently on air during reproduction of therecorded contents (step B22), and if the return instruction is not given(NO at step B22), the CPU 1 checks whether an instruction of terminatingreproduction is given or not (step B23). If the instruction ofterminating reproduction is not given (NO at step B23), the processreturns to the step B22. Accordingly, the CPU 1 becomes in a stand bystate until a return instruction or reproduction termination instructionis given.

In a case where a return instruction is given (YES at step B22), the CPU1 stop reproduction and outputting (step B24) and terminates recordoperation (step B20), and a process returns to the step B7 of outputtingthe audio and images of the receiving channel.

If a termination instruction is given (YES at step B23), the CPU 1 stopsreproduction and outputting, and terminates record operation (step B25),turns OFF the earphone amplifier 14 or the speaker amplifier 10, andturns OFF the image output section 7 and the audio output section 9(step B26), and terminates the TV reception information output process.

As explained above, in the second embodiment, when disconnection of theearphone 15 is detected during broadcasting output of outputting atelevision broadcasting received with the earphone 15 being connected,the CPU 1 pauses outputting of the television broadcasting, andconsecutively records the television broadcasting received after that.

Therefore, according to the second embodiment, even if the earphone 15is plugged off during outputting of a television broadcasting, it ispossible to prevent the user from bothering people nearby, and atelevision broadcasting received after that can be reproduced and outputin accordance with necessities. That is, even if the earphone 15 isplugged off while the user is listening and watching a television,continuous listening and watching becomes possible without affection ofplugging off of the earphone 15.

In this case, when reconnection of the earphone 15 is detected duringrecording of a television broadcasting, the CPU 1 reproduces recordedcontents and outputs those to the earphone 15. Therefore, it is possibleto listen to and watch reproduction contents by just reconnecting theearphone 15.

When reconnection of the earphone 15 is detected during recording of thetelevision broadcasting, the CPU 1 accepts selection operation ofarbitrary selecting whether the recorded contents is reproduced andoutput through the earphone 15 or a current television broadcastingreceived after the reconnection is output through the earphone 15, andperforms outputting in accordance with the selection operation. Thisresults in selection of an output mode after the reconnection accordingto the user's demand.

In the foregoing second embodiment, the recorded stop position when theearphone 15 is plugged off is subject to feedback as a reproductionposition, and the recorded contents of the television broadcasting arereproduced and output. However, it may be possible to start reproducingand outputting from just a little bit before when the earphone 15 isplugged off (for example, 3 seconds).

In the foregoing second embodiment, a case where a televisionbroadcasting is listened and watched has been exemplified, but alistening and watching target may be a movie or a music downloaded andreceived from the Internet.

The external output device is not limited to the earphone 15, and may bea headphone, or an external speaker. The cellular phone device may beconnectable with at least any one of the earphone, the headphone and theexternal speaker.

According to the above-described second embodiment of the invention,when it is detected that the external output device is disconnectedduring output of sound information received with the external outputdevice being connected, the cellular phone device of the embodimentperforms control in such a manner as to suppress outputting of the soundinformation, and consecutively records sound information received afterthat. Therefore, even if the external output device is plugged offduring reception and outputting of sound information, it is possible toprevent the user from bothering people nearby, and further, it ispossible to reproduce and output sound information received after thatin accordance with necessities. For example, even if the external outputdevice is plugged off during television listening and watching,continuous listening and watching without affection of plugging offbecomes possible.

“Suppressing and controlling output of sound information” meanspreventing output through an internal output device to set a mute stateand automatically adjusting a volume to a low level.

When reconnection of the external output device is detected duringrecording of sound information, the cellular phone device of theembodiment reproduces recorded contents and output it to the externaloutput device. Therefore, it is possible to listen to reproductioncontents by just reconnecting the external output device.

When reconnection of the external output device is detected duringsequential recording of sound information, the cellular phone device ofthe embodiment accepts selection operation of arbitrary selectingwhether recorded contents are reproduced and output to the externaloutput device or sound information received after the reconnection isoutput to the external output device, and executes output in accordancewith the selection operation. This makes it possible for the user toselect an output mode after the reconnection according to the user'sdemand.

Sound information is sound information having image information, and issynchronized with the image information, and the cellular phone deviceof the embodiment consecutively records the image information togetherwith the sound information. Therefore, it is possible to cope with, forexample, listening and watching of a television broadcasting.

Therefore, according to the embodiment, even if the external outputdevice is plugged off during reception and outputting of soundinformation, sound information received after that can be outputaccording to necessities.

Because of this, in a case where the external output device is pluggedoff from the cellular phone device, it is possible to prevent the userfrom missing sound information without switching over sound output fromexternal output to internal output.

The embodiments of the invention have been explained, modifications andapplications according to various embodiments are possible for carryingout the invention, and the invention is not limited to theaforementioned embodiments.

For example, in the aforementioned embodiments, the invention is appliedto the cellular phone device having a television function, but may beapplied to other electrical wrist watches, a PDA (Personal DigitalAssistant), an electrical camera device, a music reproducing machine,and the like.

For example, recording media (e.g., CD-ROM, flexible disk, RAM card,etc.) which respectively record program codes for allowing a compute toexecute above-described means may be supplied.

Specifically, in the above-described embodiments, the explanation hasbeen given of a case where operational programs are stored in a memoryor the like beforehand in the cellular phone device. However, thecellular phone device that executes the above-described processes may beconstituted by installing a program for executing the above-describedoperations into an existing cellular phone device from a distributedcomputer-readable recording medium, such as a flexible disk, a CD-ROM(Compact Disk Read-Only Memory), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), an MO(Magneto-Optical disk) or the like where the program is stored.

The program may be stored in a disk device or the like of apredetermined server device over a communication network like theInternet, superimposed on, for example, a carrier wave, and downloadedto a cellular phone device. The above-described processes can beexecuted by starting up and running the program while transferring theprogram over a communication network.

When an OS (Operating System) bears a part of the above-describedfunctions and realized those function, or those functions are realizedby cooperation of the OS and an application, portions other than the OSmay be stored in a medium and distributed, and may be downloaded to acellular phone device.

Various embodiments and changes may be made thereunto without departingfrom the broad spirit and scope of the invention. The above-describedembodiments are intended to illustrate the present invention, not tolimit the scope of the present invention. The scope of the presentinvention is shown by the attached claims rather than the embodiments.Various modifications made within the meaning of an equivalent of theclaims of the invention and within the claims are to be regarded to bein the scope of the present invention.

This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-176076filed on Jun. 16, 2005 and including specification, claims, drawings andsummary. The disclosure of the above Japanese Patent Application isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

1. A mobile terminal device which reproduces recorded content andoutputs the recorded content to a removable external output device whenthe removable external output device is connected thereto, comprising: adetector for detecting whether the removable external output device isconnected; and a reproduction controller which performs control suchthat a reproduction operation of the recorded content is stopped whenthe detector detects that the removable external output device isdisconnected during the reproduction operation of reproducing andoutputting the recorded content with the removable external outputdevice being connected to the mobile terminal device.
 2. The mobileterminal device according to claim 1, further comprising: a connectionsection which is connectable with at least one of an earphone, a headphone, and an external speaker as the removable external output device;wherein the detector detects whether the removable external outputdevice is connected to the connection section.
 3. The mobile terminaldevice according to claim 1, further comprising: an alert displaysection which displays an alert such that the removable external outputdevice is disconnected, when it is detected that the removable externaloutput device is disconnected during the reproduction operation with theremovable external output device being connected.
 4. The mobile terminaldevice according to claim 1, wherein when it is detected that theremovable external output device is disconnected during the reproductionoperation of reproducing and outputting sound information with imageinformation, the reproduction controller performs control such that thereproduction operation of the sound information and a reproductionoperation of the image information is stopped.
 5. The mobile terminaldevice according to claim 4, wherein the control of stopping thereproduction operation is a pause control, and the reproductioncontroller fixedly displays image information at a time of pausing whilepausing the reproduction of the image information.
 6. The mobileterminal device according to claim 1, wherein control of stopping thereproduction operation is a pause control, and the reproductioncontroller continues the reproduction operation when the detectordetects that the removable external output device is reconnected withthe reproduction operation being paused.
 7. The mobile terminal deviceaccording to claim 1, further comprising: an internal output section;wherein when a reproduction instruction operation is executed with thereproduction operation of outputting recorded content from the externaloutput device being stopped, the reproduction controller continues thereproduction operation of outputting recorded content from the internaloutput section.
 8. A non-transitory computer-readable recording mediumencoded with a computer program executed by a mobile terminal thatcauses reproduction of recorded content which is output to a removableexternal output device when the removable external output device isconnected to the mobile terminal, the computer program comprising:program code for performing a function of reproducing recorded contentand outputting the recorded content to the removable external outputdevice when the removable external output device is connected to themobile terminal; program code for performing a function of detectingwhether the removable external output device is connected to the mobileterminal; and program code for performing a function of performingcontrol such that a reproduction operation of the recorded content isstopped when disconnection of the removable external output device isdetected during the reproduction operation of reproducing and outputtingthe recorded content with the removable external output device beingconnected to the computer.
 9. A computer program executing on aprocessor which, when used on a mobile terminal, causes the processor toreproduce recorded content which is output to a removable externaloutput device when the removable external output device is connected tothe mobile terminal, the computer program comprising: program code forperforming a function of reproducing the recorded content and foroutputting the recorded content to the removable external output devicewhen the removable external output device is connected to the mobileterminal; program code for performing a function of detecting whetherthe external output device is connected to the mobile terminal; andprogram code for performing a function of performing control such that areproduction operation of the recorded content is stopped whendisconnection of the removable external output device is detected duringthe reproduction operation of reproducing and outputting the recordedcontent with the removable external output device being connected to thecomputer.
 10. A mobile terminal device which outputs a sound based onsound data from a removably connected external output device,comprising: a sound output section which outputs the sound data to theremovably connected external output device; a connection determinationsection which determines whether the removably connected external outputdevice is connected; a sound output stop section which stops outputtingof the sound data by the sound output section when the connectiondetermination section determines that the removably connected externaloutput device is not connected while the sound output section isoutputting the sound data; and a sound output resuming section whichresumes outputting of the sound data by the sound output section at thatposition where the sound output stop section has stopped outputting ofthe sound data, when the connection determination section determinesthat the removably connected external output device is connected whilethe sound output stop section is stopping outputting of the sound data.11. The mobile terminal device according to claim 10, further comprisinga memory section which stores the sound data; wherein the sound outputsection outputs the sound data read out from the memory section to theremovably connected external output device; wherein the sound outputstop section stops reading out of the sound data from the memory sectionwhen outputting of the sound data is to be stopped, and has a stopposition recording section which records stop position of reading out;and wherein the sound output resuming section reads out the sound datafrom the stop position recorded by the stop position recording section,and resumes outputting of the sound data.
 12. A non-transitorycomputer-readable recording medium encoded with a computer programexecuted by a mobile terminal that causes reproduction of recordedcontent which is output to a removably connected external output devicewhen the removably connected external output device is connected to themobile terminal, the computer program comprising: program code forperforming a sound output function of outputting sound data to theremovably connected external output device; program code for performinga connection determination function of determining whether the removablyconnected external output device is connected; program code forperforming a sound output stop function of stopping outputting of thesound data by the sound output function when it is determined that theremovably connected external output device is not connected by theconnection determination function during outputting of the sound data bythe sound output function; and program code for performing a soundoutput resuming function of resuming outputting of the sound data by thesound output function at that position where outputting of the sounddata has stopped by the sound output stop function, when it isdetermined that the removably connected external output device isconnected by the connection determination function during the stoppingof outputting of the sound data by the sound output stop function.
 13. Acomputer program executing on a processor which, when used on a mobileterminal, causes the processor to reproduce recorded content which isoutput to a removably connected external output device when theremovably connected external output device is connected to the mobileterminal, the computer program comprising: program code for performing asound output function of outputting sound data to the removablyconnected external output device; program code for performing aconnection determination function of determining whether the removablyconnected external output device is connected; program code forperforming a sound output stop function of stopping outputting of thesound data by the sound output function when it is determined that theremovably connected external output device is not connected by theconnection determination function during outputting of the sound data bythe sound output function; and program code for performing a soundoutput resuming function of resuming outputting of the sound data by thesound output function at that position where outputting of the sounddata has stopped by the sound output stop function, when it isdetermined that the removably connected external output device isconnected by the connection determination function during the stoppingof outputting of the sound data by the sound output stop function.